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The Italian, who guided the Foxes back to the Premier League last season, saw his side take an early lead through Nicolas Jackson’s accomplished finish, but will have been frustrated by their inability to extend the lead during a commanding first-half performance.
However, the visitors continued to assert themselves after the break and eventually wrapped up the points through the impressive Enzo Fernandez, with Leicester pulling one back in stoppage time through Jordan Ayew’s penalty.
Chelsea made an utterly dominant start in the East Midlands, camped in the Leicester final third for the opening 15 minutes. The home side were unable to play through the press effectively, surrendering possession back to their visitors with misplaced passes and hopeful long balls.
Unsurprisingly, Leicester’s inability to retain the ball led to the opening goal of the game. Wout Faes’ dreadful attempts to clear a bouncing ball gifted possession to Enzo Fernandez, who poked into the path of the in form Jackson. The Senegalese evaded Caleb Okoli’s challenge effortlessly before producing an excellent close-range finish.
Chelsea felt aggrieved that Wilfred Ndidi only saw yellow for his lunge on Cole Palmer as the Leicester players and crowd grew increasingly frustrated midway through the first half. The home side didn’t make a single pass in the final third during the opening 25 minutes, with Noni Madueke almost compounding their misery with a side-footed effort before the half-hour mark.
Madueke thought he had indeed doubled Chelsea’s advantage just several minutes later after sweeping home an excellent move. However, Marc Cucurella, who laid on the cross for the England winger, had strayed marginally offside in the build-up.
It took Leicester 38 minutes to register their …
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